Broadband Quickstart Guide
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What is broadband? Broadband is an internet connection with a bandwidth of 256kbps or more and can be accessed through a telephone line, cable line, radio signals or even by satellites. Broadband connections need special modems which should be capable of sending and receiving data very fast. Broadband also demands faster processing speed and good memory (Random Access Memory) from your computer. Slow computers without minimum requirements of processor speed and internal memory affect the downloading speed of web pages. What are the benefits of using broadband? Aside from quicker access to websites, downloading files, images, video, music and text becomes a lot easier. Broadband is also about keeping up with the rest of the world – new internet technologies are being developed all the time, and you can use exciting new services such as internet telephony (VoIP), video on demand and live radio with a broadband connection. What is ADSL broadband? ADSL is the technology used in the broadband connections accessed through telephone line. The majority of broadband connections worldwide are accessed through ADSL, and three-quarters of broadband connections in India use this mode of broadband connection. Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) technology allows faster downloading than uploading and its micro-filter uses the existing telephone line both for making calls as well as for surfing the net at the same time. ADSL is ideal for people who regularly download videos, mp3 music and software updates. What does faster download mean to me? It means that web pages will load a lot quicker than normal and they will appear almost instantly. It also means that you can download large files like video clips and MP's in a much shorter length of time. Not forgetting the fact that you can send and receive emails quicker with large attachments too. I keep hearing about connection speeds, what are these? Generally narrowband or dial-up connection refers to the internet connections with a connection speed of 56 kbps (kilobit per second) or below. On the other hand, broadband connections begin with a minimum speed of 256kbps and have speeds up to 24Mb. Presently, most of the broadband connections in India have connection speeds between 256kbps and 1Mb while 2Mb connections are becoming popular nowadays. Explain how can I use my telephone while I'm on-line? That sounds useful! Broadband enables both telephone calls and your Internet connection to operate on the same phone line simultaneously. This is achieved by plugging a filter (sometimes known as a splitter) into all phone sockets that are to be used allowing voice and Internet at the same time. A filter separates (or splits) the telephone signals from the broadband signal, therefore allowing telephone and Internet connection at the same time. What equipment do I need to connect to broadband Internet? You will need a broadband modem which also comes with a data cable as part of the plan, some filters and that's it! See below for a typical ADSL broadband setup.  How do I connect these things to my PC?  What are the various costs in a broadband plan? Installation Fee: This is the cost of setting you up with broadband. Some providers don't charge you so its worth understanding what these costs are before you sign up. Modem: Most broadband providers offer a modem from Rs1,000 to Rs2,000. Make sure you check to see if filters are included in the price too. Postpaid connections cost per month: If you choose a postpaid connection you will need to pay a fee every month. Prepaid connections pack price If you choose a prepaid connection you will need to pay an upfront fee for the plan which will usually provide you with a certain amount of download (eg 1GB) or a time period (eg 30 days). Once the plan is exhausted however you will need to buy a voucher to top up the plan again. Are there any other "hidden" costs? The only other thing to be aware of is what the minimum contract is when you sign up. Most postpaid providers work on a minimum 12 months contract but as the market gets more competitive, some companies are offering 1 month minimum contracts. Where can I go to choose a broadband provider in the India? There are over 200 broadband plans available across India. To help you decide between them, go to our free broadband search. |
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